2008 08 21 HPCHistoric Preservation Commission Agendas
are now available on the City's Web Page
@ www.la-quinta.orq
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
AGENDA
The Regular Meeting to be held in the Study Session Room at the
La Quinta City Hall, 78-495 Calle Tampico, La Quinta, California
AUGUST 21, 2008
3:00 P.M.
Beginning Minute Motion 2008-003
CALL TO ORDER
A. Pledge of Allegiance
B. Roll Call
II. SELECTION OF OFFICERS
III. PUBLIC COMMENT
This is the time set aside for citizens to address the Historic Preservation
Commission on matters relating to historic resources within the City of La Quinta
which are not Agenda items. When addressing the Historic Preservation
Commission, please state your name and address and when discussing matters
pertaining to prehistoric sites, do not disclose the exact location of the site(s) for
their protection.
IV. CONFIRMATION OF THE AGENDA
V. CONSENT CALENDAR
A. Approval of the Minutes for June 19, 2008.
Historic Preservation Commission Agenda
VI. BUSINESS ITEMS
A. Phase 1 Archaeological and Historical Resources Assessment for 43-632
Washington Street
Applicant: Yuri Levitan
Consultant: Archaeogroup (James Brock)
Location: On the East Side of Washington Street Approximately 800 Feet
North of Fred Waring Drive
VII. CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIAL
A. Attendance Update
Vill. COMMISSIONER ITEMS
IX. PLANNING STAFF ITEM
X. ADJOURNMENT
DECLARATION OF POSTING
I, Carolyn Walker, Executive Secretary of the City of La Quinta, do hereby declare that the
foregoing agenda for the La Quinta Historic Preservation Commission meeting of Thursday,
August 21, 2008, was posted on the outside entry to the Council Chamber, 78-495 Calle
Tampico, and the bulletin board at the La Quinta Cove Post Office, on Friday, August 15,
2008.
DATED: August 15, 2008
CAROLY WALKER, Executive Secretary
City of La Quinta, California
PAReports - HPC\2008\8-21-08\AGENDA.doc
MINUTES
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION MEETING
A Regular meeting held in the Study Session Room
at the La Quinta City Hall
78-495 Calle Tampico, La Quinta, CA
June 19, 2008
This meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission was called to order by
Chairman Wilbur at 3:02 p.m. who asked for the roll call.
I. CALL TO ORDER
A. Roll Call.
Present: Commiaafoners `-iedmon, Sharp, Wright, and
Chairman Wilbur_
Absent: Commissioner Parente
It was proved and seconded by Commissioners Wright/Sharp to
excuse
Gtimmissioner Pulente, animousl approved.
Staff
PiVent: Planning Manager David Sawyer, Principal Planner
Stan Sawa, end Secretary Monika Radeva.
II. PWLIC COMMENT: bone
III. CONFIRMATION OF THE AGENDA: Confirmed
IV. CONSENT CALENDAR:
A. It was moved and seconded by Commissioners Wright/Redmon to
approve the minutes of May 15, 2008, as submitted. Unanimously
approved.
V. BUSINESS ITEMS:
A. City Historic Context Statement Review
Applicant: City of La Quinta
Consultant: City Staff
Location: City-wide
PA Reports - HM2008\8-21-08Winutes 7-19-08.doc
Historic Preservation Commission
June 19, 2008
Principal Planner Stan Sawa presented the information contained in
the staff report, a copy of which is on file in the Planning Department.
Commissioner Sharp referred to the mentioning of "Happy Hollow" on
page 41 of the report. He suggested adding in parenthesis those
words in the Cahuilla language as well.
Commissioner Wright said that based on past experience it had been
established the Cahuilla language was difficult to translate because of
its uniqueness.
Commissioner Sharp suggested consulting with a Native American to
obtain the proper translation in Cahuilla as he found it academically
appropriate to include it in the document.
Commissioner Sharp referenced the first paragraph of page 44 of the
report pointing out that it was not the "high ceiling" of the lobby that
was decorated by the renowned Mexiu*an artist Diego Rivera and the
phrase should be removed. Further, the word "sketches" used to
describe his artwork should be substituted with "drawings." Staff
agreed and noted the changes.
Commissioner Redmon agreed the -.word "drawings" would better
describe the artist's work. .
Commissioner Wright said the word "discovered" also in the first
paragraph of page 44 should be replaced with "'rediscovered" by an
employee during the 1989 renovation.'
-Commissioner, Sharp ;asked if the City Historic Context Statement
Review would be available to the public and staff replied it would.
Planning Manager David Sawyer asked why the document did not
mention the Desert Club as his understanding was that, in its prime,
the Desert Club was also a significant destination resort along with the
La Quinta Hotel.
Commissioner Redmon said that the Desert Club was mentioned as
part of the La Quinta Hotel in the previous part of the document "The
Resort History" presented to the Commission during the last meeting
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3
Historic Preservation Commission
June 19, 2008
Commissioner Wright stated there should be a section regarding Fritz
Burns as that would tie in the old real estate office, now the museum
and the Desert Club because he was involved in starting it. This
section would also talk about the La Quinta Cove and Fritz Burns'
encyclopedia lots. Every time someone bought an Encyclopedia
Britannica he/she got a free lot. Commissioner Wright mentioned the
City and the Historical Society had put something together in the past
regarding the history of Fritz Burns as he was a very well known Los
Angeles developer. If staff could not -find any of those sources,
Commissioner Wright said he would provide the information to them.
Staff agreed a section about Frit,* Burns should be included in the
document.
Commissioner Wright added that the Desert Club was located where
the Fritz Burns Park is now.
Planning Manager David Sawyer.seid his impression was that the
owner of the Desert Club was indebted to Fritz Burns and had given it
to him to clear the debt., Approximately a decade later the Club was
destroyed in a controlled burn. Comrissioner Wright noted there
were stories about illegal gambEing in the basement of the Desert Club,
etc.
Commissioners Wright, Redmon, and Sharp discussed mentioning the
encyclopedia Ipf ft a section other than the La Quinta Hotel and tying
together the 1Pesert Club with the La Quinta Cove and Old Town La
Quinta.
Commissioner Wrigbt said the document should have a section on
MM,hall Ranch, which is the Hacienda del Gato at the Traditions.
Additional sections should also be included on Point Happy, the
Morgan house, and the La Quinta Cove. Commissioner Redmon noted
the Morgan House was referenced in the document, but did not
include a lot of details.
Commissioner Wright added that staff should try to find some
information on Hidden Canyon which used to be an airport where
residents would land their planes and stay at the hotel. Up until the
development of Hidden Canyon the airport runway was still in
existence.
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Historic Preservation Commission
June 19, 2008
Commissioner Wright continued to say that the oldest white
settlement in La Quinta, an adobe structure with a well, was behind
Laguna de la Paz where Hidden Canyon is now. This was one of the
first white man settlement structures built back in 1910.
Commissioner Sharp pointed out the document referenced the past up
to the present, but it had no mention of the future. Staff replied the
purpose of the document was to encompass only the past.
Commissioner Wright added the document should only go back fifty
years.
Chairman Wilbur inquired whether or not the lists of all of the old and
current contractors, builders, plumbers should be included in the
document.
Commissioners Wright ..erid, Redmon agreed the information was
historic and it would be better if` it could be included, as it was
relevant.
Commissioner Shei°p asked staff if the document would be completed
prior to the Historic Preservation Conference next year. Staff replied it
would.
VI. CORRESPONOENCE AND WRITTEN MAT IAkL:
A. Attendance Upd; to
Chairman Wilbur inquired as to the best way a Commissioner could
request an excused absence if they were unable to attend a meeting.
Planning Mattager Sawyer explained the Commissioner should write a
letter in advance, addressed to the City Council, requesting the
excused absence and listing the extenuating circumstances. The letter
should be submitted to the Planning Staff and would be included in
the City Council packet for the following meeting at which time it
would be reviewed.
Commissioner Wright verified that the Commission was going dark
during the month of July.
Commissioner Sharp stated he would not be able to attend the
October meeting and asked when he should submit his request for an
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Historic Preservation Commission
June 19, 2008
excused absence. Planning Manager Sawyer replied the request could
be submitted anytime prior to the absence.
Commissioner Redmon asked if Commissioner Sharp could submit a
retroactive request to excuse his January, 2008 absence due to the
fact that he was having knee surgery at the time and was not aware
of the ordinance passed on December 27, 2007.
Planning Manager Sawyer said the language of the ordinance did allow
for retroactive requests and suggested-oritmissioner Sharp combine
the two requests, the one for January and the one for October, into
one letter so that City Council could, address both of them at the same
time.
VII. COMMISSIONER ITEMS:
A. Memo regardinn Selection of Officers
Planning Manager David Sawyer said each Commission was directed,
by ordinance, to haire art election of officers the first meeting after the
month of June. The Commission world be dark in July, therefore
during the August meeting a Chairman and Vice Chairman would have
to be elected.
Vill. ADJOURNMEW,
There being no further bu",, it was moved and seconded by
Commissioners Redmon/Wright to adjourn this Meeting of the Historic
Preservation Commission to the next Regular Meeting to be held on August
121, W08. This meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission was
adjournedat 3:27 p:rn. Unbnimously approved.
Submitted by:
Monika Radeva
Secretary
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DATE
ITEM:
LOCATION:
APPLICANT
CONSULTANT:
BACKGROUND:
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
STAFF REPORT
AUGUST 21, 2008
PHASE 1 ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL RESOURCES
ASSESSMENT FOR 43632 WASHINGTON STREET
ON THE EAST SIDE OF THE WASHINGTON STREET
APPROXIMATELY 800 FEET NORTH OF FRED WARING DRIVE
YURI LEVITAN
ARCHAEOGROUP (JAMES BROCK)
The study area is a .99 acre parcel located in the northern area of the city along the
east side of Washington Street north of Fred Waring Drive (Attachment 1). The vacant
property is relatively level, and occupied by a few scattered native shrubs and bushes.
To the north is a recently completed two story office building and parking lot. To the
east is the Mitchell Paige School. The property to the south is vacant, but we are
presently processing applications for a shopping center on it.
A Phase I (survey level) Archaeological/Historical Resources Assessment has been
completed for the property. The Assessment includes a record search, historical
background, and field survey of the property
DISCUSSION:
An archaeological and historic records search for the property was conducted at the
Eastern Information Center located at UC Riverside. Additional maps and records were
also researched. The records search indicated the study area has not been previously
surveyed.
Within one mile of the site the records search showed that 75% of the property has
been surveyed. No archaeological sites have been recorded within a one-half mile
radius and 12 sites have been recorded within a one-half to one mile radius, typically
consisting of pottery scatters with lithics (chipped stone), bone and baked clay. One
site is reportedly a village site.
Four historic -era sites exist within one-half mile consisting of three abandoned wells
and a road (Darby Road). A house constructed during the 1950's previously existed
on the property near Washington Street. It was demolished sometime in the early
1990's.
PAReports - HPC\2008\8-21-08\rpt ph 1 archaeo lippich.doc
A request was made of the Native American Heritage Commission for a check of their
Sacred Lands file. No information was found. Twelve Native American
representatives were contacted regarding the site. One response was received, with a
request that any monitoring crew include a Native American archaeological monitor
during earth -moving activities.
The field survey did not find any prehistoric sites, features, isolates or cultural
landscapes. Archaeogroup observed that fill dirt has been placed over much of the
property.
CONCLUSION:
The report notes that the property is in an area of moderate sensitivity for prehistoric
resources and high sensitivity for historic resources although no cultural resources
have been identified on the study area. Furthermore, properties that have had fill soil
placed on them can have buried cultural resources that can be uncovered during
grading and trenching. Archaeogroup concludes archaeological monitoring is
warranted.
RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt Minute Motion 2008- , accepting the "Phase I Archaeological and Historical
Resources Assessment for 43632 Washington Street City of La Quinta, Riverside
County, California", as prepared by Archaeologroup and subject to the following
conditions:
1. The site shall be monitored during on- and off -site trenching and rough grading
by qualified archaeological monitors, including a Native -American monitor.
Proof of retention of monitors shall be given to the City prior to issuance of the
first earth -moving or clearing permit. The monitor shall be empowered to
temporarily halt or divert equipment to allow for City notification and analysis.
2. The final report on the monitoring shall be submitted to the Planning Department
prior to the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy for the project.
3. Collected archaeological resources shall be properly packaged for long term
curation, in polyethylene self -seal bags, vials, or film cans as appropriate, all
within acid -free, standard size, comprehensively labeled archive boxes and
delivered to the City prior to issuance of first Certificate of Occupancy for the
property.
Materials shall be accompanied by descriptive catalogue, field notes and
records, primary research data, and the original graphics.
4. If prehistoric or historic resources are discovered during monitoring or the
subsequent construction phase, the Planning Department shall be notified
immediately.
PAReports - HPC\2008\8-21-08\rpt ph 1 archaeo lippich.doc
Attachments:
1. Location Map
2. Phase I Archaeological and Historical Resources Assessment for 43632
Washington Street, City of La Quinta, Riverside County, California
Prepared by:
4 2-M e G5— yTn
Stan Sawa, Principal Planner
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ATTACHMENT 1
-"A
SITE
CASE MAP
CAM Nm CUP 2008-112
5 lelm
SCALE:
NTS